Resident Evil and Silent Hill developers on how survival horror games are surviving | BBC News

Key Concepts

• Survival Horror Genre
• Resident Evil (series)
• Silent Hill (series)
• Psychological Horror
• Action Horror
• Replayability
• First-person perspective
• Third-person perspective
• Atmosphere
• Tension
• Modernization of gameplay
• Iconic locations
• Character relatability

Silent Hill F: Revitalizing a Classic

Challenges in Modernizing Silent Hill

• Finalizing the Concept: The biggest initial hurdle was defining the core concept, which they ultimately landed on as "beauty and terror."
• Capturing the Essence: Ensuring the game retained the atmosphere of classic Silent Hill titles while updating combat and gameplay for a new generation was crucial. This involved modernizing elements without losing the series' identity.

Setting in Japan: A Fresh Perspective

• Breaking from Tradition: The decision to set Silent Hill F in Japan was driven by a desire to move away from the familiar locales of previous games and breathe new life into the series.
• Cultural Unfamiliarity: The Japanese setting, particularly 1960s Showa-era Japan, adds layers of unfamiliarity for players, enhancing the sense of unease and mystery. Examples include unfamiliarity with Japanese schools in the countryside or rotary-style phones.

Gameplay: Action Horror, Not Soulslike

• Debunking Soulslike Comparisons: The developers explicitly state that Silent Hill F is not a Soulslike game. While it incorporates elements like dodging and resource management, these are rooted in classic horror game design.
• Action Horror Blend: The game aims to interweave horror and action elements, drawing inspiration from classic Silent Hill titles like Silent Hill 4 (charge attacks) and Silent Hill 3 (stamina management).

Psychological Horror: The Core of Silent Hill

• Psychological Torment: The game emphasizes psychological horror, focusing on the protagonist Hinako's inner turmoil and her relationships with family and friends.
• Rukurokuroku's Influence: The scriptwriter, Rukurokuroku, is credited with masterfully weaving psychological horror into the game's narrative.

Resident Evil Requiem: Returning to Horror Roots

Keeping Resident Evil Fresh After 30 Years

• Hardware Evolution: The series has evolved alongside gaming hardware, allowing for increasingly high-fidelity visuals and presentations.
• Fresh Ideas: The key to maintaining the series' relevance is to continue generating fresh ideas and leveraging advancements in technology.

Grace: A Relatable Protagonist

• Normal Character: Grace is portrayed as an ordinary person, not an action hero, making her more relatable to players.
• Emotional Connection: Her vulnerability and fear create an emotional connection with the player, enhancing the horror experience.

Raccoon City: An Iconic Location Reimagined

• Fan Anticipation: The return to Raccoon City is a highly anticipated event for fans of the series.
• Unspoiled Experience: The developers are intentionally withholding details about specific locations and experiences to avoid spoiling the game.
• Nostalgia: The developers assure fans that the return to Raccoon City will not disappoint those familiar with the lore.

Replayability: Multiple Perspectives

• Changeable Camera Perspective: The game features both first-person and third-person perspectives, offering distinct gameplay experiences.
• Immersive Horror (First-Person): First-person perspective enhances immersion and amplifies the horror elements.
• Character Connection (Third-Person): Third-person perspective allows players to see Grace's reactions and animations, fostering a stronger emotional connection.

Horror Focus: A Return to Form

• Horror-First Approach: Resident Evil Requiem emphasizes horror, contrasting with the more action-oriented direction of recent titles like Resident Evil 4 Remake and Resident Evil Village.
• Variety of Gameplay: While horror is the primary focus, the game will also include elements that fans love from the series, such as exploration, backtracking, puzzle-solving, and gunplay.
• Balance: The developers aim to strike a balance between horror and other gameplay elements to avoid making the experience too exhausting.

Conclusion

Both Silent Hill F and Resident Evil Requiem aim to revitalize the survival horror genre by returning to their roots while incorporating modern gameplay elements. Silent Hill F emphasizes psychological horror and cultural unfamiliarity, while Resident Evil Requiem focuses on creating a relatable protagonist and delivering a terrifying experience in the iconic Raccoon City. Both titles offer unique features and perspectives, promising to satisfy both long-time fans and newcomers to the genre.